FC Dallas season wrapup: No playoffs, but all is not lost

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Several players came through, as did home fans

FRISCO — Despite struggling down the stretch and missing the playoffs for a second straight season, FC Dallas can take a few positives out of its just-completed season.

One was the impressive fan support at Toyota Stadium. FCD endured an 11-game winless streak from late May to mid-August and set a franchise record by going 465 minutes without a goal. Even so, Dallas drew 261,346, eclipsing the previous club record of 256,176 set in 1996, the club’s inaugural season.

“The crowds have been great. Coming back after having been gone a couple years, I feel like it’s just grown and grown,” said forward Kenny Cooper, a local product who is in his second stint with the club after returning last offseason.

Several FCD players delivered solid seasons. No. 1 goalkeeper Raul Fernandez was an MLS All-Star in his first year in the league, while fellow newcomer Michel gave Dallas something it had been lacking: a true set piece specialist with pinpoint service on corner kicks and free kicks.

Colombian speedster Fabian Castillo, 21, continued his progression, setting career highs in assists, games and minutes played, and veteran striker Blas Perez of Panama gave the club its first double-digit goal scorer since 2011.

Another big positive was the emergence of Plano native Kellyn Acosta at right back. Acosta, 18, made his first-team debut in a July friendly against Stoke City of the English Premier League and held his own for the full 90 minutes. He started 10 of FCD’s next 11 games and improved every time he hit the pitch. Zach Loyd, who had started at right back since 2010 but has an expiring contract, appears to have become expendable.

“I’m getting more games and I feel more comfortable and confident in my play — very encouraging,” Acosta said. “I feel like I’m not exactly a rookie but just another one of the guys, and the guys treat me like that. … It’s been an exciting year for me.”

The comeback of Peter Luccin was another positive. A 34-year-old midfielder signed last December to be FCD’s starting holding midfielder, Luccin was shelved for about seven months after preseason knee surgery. He made his MLS debut on Oct. 5 at Real Salt Lake and got his first start two weeks later against Seattle, playing 82 minutes.

FCD holds an option for 2014 on Luccin, who previously played in France and Spain, and he’s likely to return. He appears to be the answer at holding midfielder and could even be the new captain should David Ferreira, who is also in an option year, leave the club.

“We have such great players on the team. We have young players on the team. We have to have a good mentality, a winner’s mentality,” Luccin said. “We have a very good team with good people and we have to focus now for next year.”

FCD’s top priority will be finding a replacement for departing coach Schellas Hyndman, who announced his retirement on Oct. 18. Hyndman will remain with FCD as a consultant.

Steve Hunt is a Frisco-based freelance writer.

Key off-season dates

Late November (date TBD): Deadline to renew player options (non-playoff teams)

Dec. 31: Final day of contracts for players with expiring deals

Jan. 16: 2014 MLS Super Draft, Philadelphia

Jan. 20: Potential start of preseason training

Feb. 18: Opening of MLS winter transfer period

March 1: Possible start of 2014 MLS regular season

May 12: Closing of MLS winter transfer period

Five questions for FC Dallas

1Who will replace Schellas Hyndman as head coach?

Club missed the playoffs in four of Hyndman’s five-plus seasons at the helm

2How much player turnover will occur?

Seventeen players on the roster have either expiring contracts or options for 2014

3Who will be captain in 2014?

Even if David Ferreira returns, a lack of leadership means FCD needs a new captain